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Women in the Bible
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Lesson Thirty-five: by turtle30c
Today’s lesson we will continue to look at Sarah and Abraham and their relationship to each
other and to God and how they allowed someone in the middle of their relationship. If you
are interested in reading Hagar side of the story refer back to lesson nine. Yes if you had
wonder had we not discussed this before, Yes but we were looking from the other woman’s
point of view. The worse thing a woman can ever do or a man is to allow someone to come in
the middle of their relationship. Some men choose to commit adultery with the wife knowing
it or they do it in secret. And some wives encourage their husband to commit adultery because
of low self esteem or just being fed up with the situation of their husband. I am sure there are
many more reason that woman and men can think of for cheating on their spouses. Yet God
designed one man and one woman for each other to be husband and wife. When you meet the
perfect mate, you need to guard the relationship. Not as dictator to your spouse, but keep the
geese and ganders of the world away that might cause your marriage harm.
Sarai, maybe tired of her husband desire for a child and passed child bearing years finally said
okay Abraham here is my servant. Maybe you can have a child with her.
Genesis 16:1-4 KJV
(1) Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian,
whose name was Hagar.
(2) And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I
pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram
hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
(3) And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten
years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
(4) And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived,
her mistress was despised in her eyes.
First thing woman you do not want to throw another woman in your husband arms like Sarai
did. Abraham loved Sarai with all his heart I suspect, yet hear was an open invitation with his
wife’s permission to have someone else and for the sole noble purpose of having a male heir.
Some people have such a desire for children they will go to any length to obtain them. I
sometimes wonder do people not realize how many orphan children would love to be adopted.
Love to have a home. I am sure Abraham and Sarai could of come up with another solution.
Yet Sarai hands her handmaiden to Abraham. And soon has Hagar is known to be pregnant,
Sarai realizes her mistake.
Genesis 16:5-6 KJV
(5) And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy
bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge
between me and thee.
(6) But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee.
And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
Sarai admits her fault to Abraham. Abraham being wise decides to let Sarai his wife handle
this situation. Perhaps he knew his wife well and her anger and frustration at times, that he
knew that the only thing to do was allow Sarai to take charge. Sarai takes charge of Hagar
and is so cruel to her that Hagar runs away. It was not Hagar fault for being in the situation
she was in. Of course she had to agree to Sarai and Abraham request, but even so it still was
not her fault.
To refresh you memory of what happens when Hagar runs away. And angel comes to her and
tells her to go back to Abraham and Sarai. Then Hagar bares a son.
Genesis 16:7-16 KJV
(7) And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the
fountain in the way to Shur.
(8) And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And
she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
(9) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself
under her hands.
(10) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it
shall not be numbered for multitude.
(11) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a
son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
(12) And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand
against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
(13) And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she
said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
(14) Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
(15) And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare,
Ishmael.
(16) And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Abram names his son Ishmael. Abraham is eighty six years old. This child however is not the
promised seed. This child is born of a servant or the other woman. Some might say this is
poetic justice, but it is not for the child. This child will grow up knowing he is of royal
bloodline so to speak, but not with the ability to have the rights of a normal heir. For he was
born from sin.
When God says He will do something we must trust that God will not cause you to sin. God
can not sin. So if God can not sin then one must grasp he is not going to cause us to sin to
fulfill his plan for our life. Abraham had been promised a son. Whether it meant one day
Sarai would die and Abraham would remarry, or God would open Sarai womb again so she
could conceive. Either way the child would be from a pure marital relationship not one that
was caused by sin.
Ishmael though he was born from sin into sin does not mean he is not a child of God.
Whether you choose to obey and follow Christ is still a personal choice. Hagar and Ishmael
were believers. Just because someone is not of the Israel line does not mean they can not
believe in God.
Psalms 2:7-8 KJV
(7) I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I
begotten thee.
(8) Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts
of the earth for thy possession.
These verse in Psalms is talking about the nations around Israel. It is also talking of the only
begotten Son of God. Anyone not a Jew is a Gentile/heathen. A gentile is consider a person
that is not Jewish by blood and a heathen is someone that does not believe in God at all or
worshipped false gods. There are people that are converts to Judaism in the old testament that
were not of bloodline and may of at one time worshipped other gods or might still do. God
does not approve of idolatry at all.
Now the Psalms states that the only begotten Son, who is Jesus will be given the heathens for
inheritance. Many people have convert to Christianity since Christ died on the cross. Many
have come from many nations as well as the Jewish world. God does not leave anyone out
that will come to Him. He loves everyone. He just does not approve of sin. He expects us to
repent and call upon His name. His name is Jesus. To repent is to turn away from sin. To
believe in Jesus is a step of faith. Asking for forgiveness is the first act after believing Jesus is
the Son of God. Sarai and Abram would have to deal with there sin and so will their children.
For years and year and years Israel and Islamic nation have fought with each other. Actually
this is prophesied.
Genesis 16:12 KJV
(12) And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand
against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Now what about Sarai and Abraham well we will continue next week and as we continue we
will see why Abraham makes Hagar leave.
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